Medicaid expansion would free up mental health dollars

4:12 AM,
Feb. 27, 2013

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Expanding Medicaid eligibility would free up almost $69 million for cash-strapped mental health and recovery boards across Ohio, according to Ohio Department of Mental Health estimates released Tuesday.

Gov. John Kasich proposed expanding Medicaid coverage to individuals up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Under the current system, local mental health and recovery boards pay for services required by individuals not covered by Medicaid or other insurance. In fiscal year 2011, these claims amounted to $137 million for people who would be covered under the expansion.